The key reason for this haze is due to the large pollutants emissions caused by power plants, vehicles, industries, and dusts. In particular, the extremely cold weather which started in December 2012 in the North China led to more heating supply, generating more emissions.

Moreover, the dispersion conditions were not good in BJ, so the pollutants were accumulated in the air, which is the direct cause of this haze in BJ.

Regional air pollution is another important reason for this haze. The air pollution level of neighboring regions/cities (Tianjin city and Hebei province) has remained higher than that of BJ, especially the cities north to BJ.

RESPONSE MEASURES ADOPTED Beijing Emergency Response Measures (January 14, 2013) At the above press conference, it was announced that Beijing has started the Beijing Emergency Response Plan for Heavy Air Pollution (http://zhengwu.beijing.gov.cn/yjgl/yjya/t1295465.htm), and various government agencies introduced the key measures taken:

Fourteen inspection teams were dispatched to 14 districts and counties to oversee the pollution-reduction measures on Sunday, the bureau added.

Require heavy polluting enterprises to reduce emission by 30%. Among them, 58 key enterprises (involving building materials, metallurgy, and chemicals) under emission reduction monitoring have stopped production, and 41 enterprises have reduced production and reached the 30% emission reduction target.

Require 30% of vehicles owned by the government agencies and government affiliated institutes to stop running on the road, and provide more public transport in the mean time.

Outdoor sports activities for primary and middle schools were ordered to be halted from Sunday to Tuesday in extreme pollution areas, including Tongzhou, Miyun, Daxing, Mentougou and Fangshan districts, the municipal authorities said.

Suggestions provided to the public: do not go out unless necessary; wear masks when going out; and vulnerable groups such as elders, minors and people with chronic disease should see doctors if feeling uncomfortable.

China Cities React to Outrage Over Air Pollution (January 15, 2013) Besides Beijing, Environmental and meteorological authorities in Nanjing, where the air pollution has been severe for nine days, have been trying to stimulate artificial rainfall to ease the pollution. Nanjing’s environmental officials also proposed a pollution-control plan to the municipal government, suggesting the activation of temporary traffic restrictions during heavily polluted weather, according to the Yangtse Evening Post. In some cities, such as Beijing and Shijiazhuang, some schools have cancelled outdoor activities due to the heavy pollution, and the government of Zhengzhou has started tougher inspections of construction sites and coal power plants to reduce emissions and dust. English Link: http://www.globaltimes.cn/content/755848.shtml